STEP-G location in Bonn achieves IRIS Silver certification

The Bonn plant of extrusion pressing specialist ST Extruded Products Group has achieved Silver certification in accordance with the International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) ISO/TS 22163 for aluminium components and complete solutions for finished assemblies designed for use in rail vehicles. IRIS is an initiative of UNIFE, the Association of the European Rail Industry.

Safety and quality strategy drives success

In September 2022, the STEP-G location in Bonn was recertified in accordance with the international IRIS standard. This STEP-G location is the only facility equipped with aluminium extrusion presses worldwide to receive IRIS Silver certification, having improved from Bronze to Silver in terms of its IRIS performance level. This seal of quality underlines the consistently high quality standards for safety-relevant large components in rail vehicle construction at the STEP-G location in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The Bonn location has been producing large and highly complex extruded aluminium profiles for rail vehicle construction, among other sectors, for 100 years. This includes both the individual components and the finished assemblies. STEP-G ensures consistent quality, safety and sustainability by drawing on many years of technical expertise and ensuring that knowledge is shared across departments and locations. “This certification in accordance with the IRIS Silver international standard sets a new benchmark for quality and safety at our company. With this certification, we can offer our customers in the rail vehicle construction sector highly qualified finished assembly solutions,” explains Dr Wolfgang Kühlein, Head of Quality and Technology. Thanks to the efforts of the whole team, this audit was completed successfully and the overall quality level at the location was increased.

To attain IRIS certification, companies must place performance and quality at the centre of their activities. UNIFE also assesses and takes into account customer perception. Only companies which offer their customers excellent, consistent performance and quality achieve an IRIS certification under the maturity level model. “The IRIS Silver qualification confirms that we’re on the right track and our efforts have delivered the first positive results. Our aim now is to achieve the top performance level in the next audit,” adds Stefan Knabben, Director Sales STEP-G.

250 questions on safety and quality checked by Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas Germany Holding GmbH performed an independent audit to examine and evaluate the STEP-G Bonn location. The factors assessed by the external auditors included a general assessment sheet, customer perception and performance evaluation. The basis for the audit is the ISO 9001 quality management standard as well as the ISO/TS 22163 standard for requirements specific to rail vehicles.

With its components and complete solutions, STEP-G’s Bonn location is a recognised driver of innovation in the rail rolling stock industry. Other important considerations for STEP-G’s customers are sustainability and lightweight construction as well as transformation in the mobility sector. These are key components of today’s corporate strategies and commitments to sustainability.